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Within weeks Yukon Arts Centre (YAC) and Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association (YFNCT) worked cohesively in sending eight Yukon artists’ artworks to an international showcasing of circum-polar Indigenous Peoples' art. The Circum-Arctic Art Show is the first annual showcase held in Reykjavik, Iceland from October 15th-19th, 2015.

YAC's gallery intern, Teresa, took on the Yukon's portion of the Circum-Arctic Art Show as her first fall project.

Seen above are some of the pieces Teresa packed for shipping.

There are fourteen First Nations and eight language groups in Yukon, Canada. Each boasts enriched visual artists who create astounding works of art based on their traditional teachings, contemporary experiences, and cultural knowledge.

Today, there are hundreds of artists, both established and emerging, residing on their Traditional Territories in small communities across the North. Yukon First Nations illustrate their astonishing talents of combining both traditional and modern materials into their works breaking down stereotypes and paving the way for conversations surrounding First Nations and the expression of indigeneity through art.

Seen above, artworks snuggled together and ready to be shipped to Iceland. Two full crates were sent. All artworks arrived safely to Iceland and are currently on display at the Gamla Bio.

We had the privilege of sending two artists to attend and represent the Yukon, Shirlee Frost and Mark Preston.

Artists that have work currently on display at the Circum-Arctic Gallery include Lena White, Sarah McHugh, George Roberts, Teresa Vander Meer-Chasse, Dennis Shorty, and Dolores Scheffen.

Photo courtesy of Circum-Arctic Gallery. Seen in the photo above, "Carrying Forward Our Traditions" collaborative piece created at the 2014 Adaka Cultural Festival and "Mother Earth Protects the One's We Hold Precious To Us" (button blanket) by Lena White displayed at the Circum-Arctic Art Show Mainstage.

YAC and YFNCT hope to work together again in creating opportunities for Yukon visual artists abroad.